Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman: Fight date, how to watch, venue, record and more

Undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue returns to the ring in January as he defends his titles against Australian Sam Goodman in Japan.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of what promises to be an enthralling and entertaining showdown between two unbeaten fighters.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman date

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman was due to take place on Christmas Eve, but an injury to the latter means the bout has been rearranged for Friday 24 January, 2025.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman time

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman is due to start at around 23:00 AEDT.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman venue

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman will take place at the Ariake Arena in the Koto City region of Tokyo, Japan.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman how to watch

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman will be available to watch on Kayo Sports as a PPV event in Australia.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman titles at stake

Inoue is defending his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO world super-bantamweight titles.

Naoya Inoue record

28-0 (25 KOs)

Inoue has a perfect record with 28 wins in as many fights, including 25 wins inside the distance.

The Japanese star is regarded as one of the best active fighters and is currently ranked second on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list and third on ESPN’s list.

Inoue made his debut in 2012 and in just his sixth fight he became a world champion as he stopped Adrian Hernandez to claim the WBC light-flyweight belt.

The Monster became a two-weight world champion by taking the WBO super-flyweight title away from Omar Narvaez, who had reigned as champion for 14 years, with a brutal second-round stoppage.

Inoue then entered the World Boxing Super Series at bantamweight in a series of battles that cemented his legacy as an all-time great, seeing off Juan Carlo Payano, Emmanuel Rodriguez and the legendary Nonito Donaire, a four-weight world champion. 

The Japanese star has since beaten Donaire in a rematch and added victories over the likes of Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to his CV.

He is one of only three boxers to become the undisputed champion in two weight classes in the four-belt era, alongside Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk, and he was last seen stopping TJ Doheny in September.

Sam Goodman record

19-0 (8 KOs)

January’s bout will be Goodman’s first shot at a world title after he compiled a 19-0 record, with eight KOs.

The 26-year-old is the mandatory challenger for Inoue’s IBF title and will be competing outside of his native Australia for the first time as a professional. 

Goodman has held various regional titles over the course of his career and has a win on points over Doheny, Inoue’s last opponent, on his record.

He was last seen in July, claiming a points victory over the previously undefeated Thachtana Luangphon.

Goodman was forced to pull out of the original date after sustaining a cut in training and he is convinced he can pull off a huge upset when he does face Inoue - stating "I want to fight this guy".

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman odds

Inoue is a red-hot fancy at 1.062 in the outright betting, while Goodman is a huge 10.00 underdog.

The Japanese superstar is 1.16 to win by KO, TJO or DQ, while it is 6.50 for the fight to go the distance.

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman full fight card

It is yet to be confirmed whether the fight card will remain unchanged for the new date.

The following bouts were set to take place on the original date:

Naoya Inoue v Sam Goodman: For Inoue's WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF, and The Ring super-bantamweight titles
Yoshiki Takei v Yuttapong Tongdee
Jin Sasaki v Shoki Sakai